My personal opinion to to ignore the nurse. I kept offering breastmilk before all feeds and there is no way I could have got through the night without feeding DS. I think 8-9 months is a pretty rough time regarding sleep as it is without trying to cut night feeds.
Just keep trusting your gut feelings and keep doing what your doing! You're doing a great job!!
Do what works for you. I can't even remember what order I did things, but I imagine I would have breastfed first because that is instant. I probably then put bub down while I wandered off to make some food.
As for DH going in - well that is what we did when we were encouraging bub to sleep through, but if you're not up to that, then you don't need to do it. We did it when bub would wake habitually for a feed but wasn't really interesting in feeding - because when DH went in bub wouldn't smell my milk and would go 'oh okay well I'll just go back to sleep then shall I'. I think DH might even have started off offering water? I can't remember.
But you do what works for you and bub, and what your family is ready for.
Actually, with the breastfeeding before solids... I do still do it, but I guess I'm not as strict about it now as I was when I first started DS on solids. Like now I just give DS a breastfeed when he wants/needs it, and solids whenever meal time happens to come about.
But like I, and others have said - just keep doing what works for you .
It's such a shame that the MCHN gave you doubts about yourself. Unfortunately it seems to be very common. Please don't doubt yourself - as you said "He has gained weight and is doing all the right things." - that says it all.
There seems to be some very mis-informed advice being given these days, even by health professionals. Milk is still the most important source of nutrition at this age. Until somewhere closer to the 12 month mark, offering bm first is the recommended approach.
And as for the misconception that babies don't need feeds in the night at that age - well don't get me started. There are a few babies who can get through the night without a feed at that age, but the vast majority still need to feed. And it's no wonder - they have tiny tummies and they are doing a lot of growing and developing. Of course they need milk, and 8 hours or more without any is a very long time for a young baby.
Hun, if it ain't broke don't fix it. You are doing a fantastic job, your little one is doing all the right things. Just put the things you heard today in the same category as the well meaning advice from the little old lady in the supermarket. Continue to follow your instincts
Ohh I hate hearing mums doubting themselves after seeing the nurse, or speaking to someone! so I am so sorry hun, that you are left feeling a bit confused with it all. You are most definitely not doing anything wrong! She's just offering ONE way of doing things, but there are a billion other ways to do things too!
Sounds like your little fella is doing very well so be proud.
On the sleeping thing..yes, he is 'old enough' to not have juicy night boobies..but so what! My husband is 'old enough' not to be a pain in bum you would think- but he still is and drives me nuts!!..I really do hate hearing that "they are old enough"...
All the best! Just pick out the bits she said that are useful to you an ignore the rest! Your DS will turn out brilliantly I am sure!
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Do what works for you. I can't even remember what order I did things, but I imagine I would have breastfed first because that is instant.
I probably then put bub down while I wandered off to make some food.
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